News

May 5, 2010

Yay - some fun news!

I found out last week that my co-writer Dan Kershaw and I won 1st place in the International Songwriting Competition - Blues Category with our co-write Sometimes I Think I Can Fly. The song was originally written on spec for a movie; it was recorded by my trio The Marigolds and appears on our album That's the State I'm In. You can hear the track here

SOCAN also posted an article about all the Canadian winners in the contest - you can read that here.

I'm getting ready to head of to British Columbia for a couple of weeks - adventures there will include a house concert in Courtenay, teaching and more concerts at the Hornby Island Blues Workshop, another concert with my pal Rick Fines in Vancouver on Monday, May 17th for the folks at Old Crow House Concerts and celebrating my nephew's 9th birthday!

Thanks for reading - I'll write again soon...

Take care,

Suzie

March 6, 2010

Spring has almost sprung!

Had some fun adventures in February in Memphis and Mississippi - the showcases at Folk Alliance went well, met lots of great folks and saw some amazing sites. I just sent out my March Newsletter, there are some pics from the trip in it if you want to check it out - here's the link to the newsletter.

I have a bunch of shows in Ontario in March, then I head off to Vancouver to showcase at Pacific Contact. Some other things I'm going to be up to in the next few months:

- in April I'll be teaching a Blues Vocal Workshop at All Together Now; in May I'll be heading back to Hornby Island, BC and in August to KSMF in Kincardine, ON to do some teaching

- this summer Rick Fines and I have been invited to perform at the 50th Anniversary of the Mariposa Folk Festival, the 25th Anniversary of the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival in Lunenburg, NS and the 20th Anniversary of the Stewart Park Festival in Perth, ON

The gigs page is updated pretty regularly so please come 'n take a peek.

That's all for now, I'll write again soon...

Take care,

Suzie

February 12, 2010

Happy (almost) Valentine's Day!

I've got a busy weekend coming up with a solo show at Winterfolk in Toronto on Friday; a show with Rick Fines at the Pinestone Resort in Haliburton on Saturday night and a Valentine's Day show at Hugh's Room in Toronto on Sunday evening!

I leave for the Folk Alliance International Conference in Memphis on Tuesday - I have an official showcase on Saturday night and a bunch of private showcases during the conference.

Hoping to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, Al Green's Church, Stax and maybe Elvis..we'll see how our schedule works out.

When I get back I dive into some more shows and start preparing for my Pacific Contact showcase in Vancouver in March - the fun never ends!!

Some other things I'm going to be up to in the next few months:

- in April I'll be teaching a Blues Vocal Workshop at All Together Now; in May I'll be heading back to Hornby Island, BC and in August to Kincardine, ON to do some teaching

The gigs page is updated pretty regularly so please come 'n take a peek.

That's all for now, I'll write again soon...

Take care,

Suzie

January 14, 2010

Happy New Year!!

There are lots of great things coming up in 2010!

- I have a showcase in Memphis, TN at the Folk Alliance Conference and another showcase at Pacific Contact in Vancouver which will hopefully lead to more gigs

- I'll be heading back to Hornby Island, BC and to Kincardine, ON to do some teaching

The gigs page is being updated pretty regularly so please come 'n take a peek.

That's all for now, I'll write again soon. I hope your New Year is off to a great start!

Take care,

Suzie

P.S. It seems it's always business in these news updates, so for something different here's a fun little animation courtesy of my drummer pal Mark Kelso - please click here

December 23, 2009

Hello and Happy Holidays!

Still a few shows left in 2009 then I'm going to take a couple weeks break in January. Here are the gigs:

Sat. Dec 26, 2009 - Big River, SK - House Concert

Sun. Dec 27, 2009 - Saskatoon, SK - House Concert at Gillian's

Weds. Dec 30, 2009 - Oakville, ON - Moonshine Cafe with Al Lerman

Thurs. Dec 31, 2009 - Elora, ON - Elora Legion - New Year's Eve show presented by The Village Idiots with the Potion Kings - Kevin Breit, Randall Coryell, Howie Southwood, Jeff Bird and John Dickie!

Please visit the gigs page on my website for further details on these and other shows.

Thank you so much for all your support this year and the years' past - for your emails, for coming to shows, for wrangling CDs and making it possible for me to keep on making music for y'all!

Happy Holidays to you 'n yours and all the best in 2010!!

Take care,

Suzie

October 8, 2009

Woohoo! Just found out that I've been nominated for 2 Canadian Folk Music Awards - Contemporary Singer of the Year and Solo Artist of the Year!

Here are the other nominees:

CONTEMPORARY SINGER OF THE YEAR
• Jessica Rhaye – Good Things (St. John, NB)
• Jim Byrnes – My Walking Stick (Vancouver)
• Marianne Girard – Pirate Days (Toronto)
• Melissa McClelland – Victoria Day (Hamilton)
• Suzie Vinnick – Happy Here (Toronto)

SOLO ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Catherine MacLellan – Water in the Ground (Charlottetown, PE)
• Ian Tyson – Yellowhead to Yellowstone and Other Love Stories (Longview, AB)
• Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
• Maria Dunn – The Peddler (Edmonton, AB)
• Suzie Vinnick – Happy Here (Toronto)

You can find the other nominees for other categories here: tiny.cc/cfma

The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 21st in Gatineau, Quebec, I'm hoping to make it to the big night.

Just wanted to let you know...thanks fer reading!

Cheers,

Suzie

September 14, 2009

Hey there!

I'm just finishing up a bunch of songs for a grant I received; once they're done I'm getting ready for a busy fall of shows!

Here are some of the shows I'll be doing:

- I have a solo show this Saturday, Sept 19, 2009 at Carnegie Hall in Dundas

- the Marigolds have a few shows coming up in Southern Ontario - see the Marigolds website for details

- I'm gearing up for a showcase at Ontario Contact in October

- I'm doing a bunch of Leonard Cohen Tribute shows in October in Toronto at Hughs Room, in Port Hope, Nepean and Newmarket

- In mid-November I'm heading out on a tour of Northern Ontario with Wendell Ferguson and Katherine Wheatley

- back for a solo concert in Port Dover

- the Toronto Blues Society's Women's Blues Revue takes place at Massey Hall in Toronto on Saturday, November 28th

- in December it looks like I'll be heading up way way north to do some workshops for ArtsCan Circle

Just wanted to give you a heads up on a few things. Thanks for reading...more news coming soon!!

xoxox

Suzie

August 25, 2009

Please click here to see the latest newsletter that I sent out on August 25, 2009.

Cheers,

Suzie

July 2, 2009

Hey Folks!

Wanted to let you know that the Hornby Island Blues Odyssey concert recorded by the lovely folks at CBC's Canada Live at the Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay is available for your listening pleasure from here!! You can listen to the songs individually or click on play all tracks to hear the concert in its entirety. Hooray CBC and kudos to all my musical compadres that took part in the show - Rick Fines, Diana Braithwaite, Chris Whiteley, Rita Chiarelli, Doug Cox, David Gogo, Dave Harris, Bill Johnson, Big Dave McLean, Gary Preston and Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne!

Happy Here received a review in the LCBO's summer edition of "Food & Drink" - many thanks to Anne Lough for the lovely review!

Here it is for those of you not in Ontario:

Songs for Lazy Days

Suzie Vinnick/Happy Here, 2008, Outside Music, Folk/Roots

This album of gentle, rootsy folk-pop seems tuned to the rhythms of summer – a boat bobbing on the waves, a bough swaying in the breeze. Saskatoon raised, Toronto-based Suzie Vinnick is yet another gem in the rich sea of gifted Canadian singer-songwriters. True to her sophomore collection’s title, she sure sounds Happy Here, but without an ounce of syrup; the songs are fresh and smartly observed, packed with bouncy hooks you’ll be humming for days. Fans of Shawn Colvin, Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones will agree that Suzie Vinnick is one to watch.

Thanks for reading...more news coming soon!!

xoxox

Suzie

June 22, 2009

Just getting back from another fun weekend of gigs! On Friday night I performed with a great bunch of folks debuting "A Thousand Kisses Deep” - A Tribute to Leonard Cohen at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans (Ottawa). I sang a couple tunes and backed the other performers on an Eminence Standup Bass - it was a great night of music! We'll be doing the show again this fall - check my gigs page for details. The next morning I made the trek to Jordan Village to perform with the amazing Dean McTaggart and Danny Brooks at the Zooma Zooma Café that night. Lots of sweet soul singing with those boys!!

In other news Happy Here received a review in the LCBO's summer edition of "Food & Drink" - many thanks to Anne Lough for the lovely review!

Here it is for those of you not in Ontario:

Songs for Lazy Days

Suzie Vinnick/Happy Here, 2008, Outside Music, Folk/Roots

This album of gentle, rootsy folk-pop seems tuned to the rhythms of summer – a boat bobbing on the waves, a bough swaying in the breeze. Saskatoon raised, Toronto-based Suzie Vinnick is yet another gem in the rich sea of gifted Canadian singer-songwriters. True to her sophomore collection’s title, she sure sounds Happy Here, but without an ounce of syrup; the songs are fresh and smartly observed, packed with bouncy hooks you’ll be humming for days. Fans of Shawn Colvin, Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones will agree that Suzie Vinnick is one to watch.

Just a little bit ' news for now…will write again soon!

xoxox

Suzie

June 9, 2009

Back from an incredible week in Nashville - the Songwriting Intensive with Darrell Scott and Mary Gauthier was incredibly inspiring and I happily managed to reconnect with my muse. I'm looking forward to having some regular sodas with him/her, getting inspired and building some more toonage!!

Owen Sound was a hoot, too - Wendell, Rick and Bucky sure know how to rawk! Big thanks to our host Kris Rosar at the Tom Thomson Gallery for taking great care of us, and to Don Bird for wrangling us for the show.

Up next is a week of prep and catching up from being away from the office for a month, and getting ready for a busy summer of shows.

More news soon... : )

xoxox

Suzie

May 22, 2009

Happy Spring!!!

Just a little update - I'm getting ready to rock with Rick Fines, Wendell Ferguson and Bucky Berger this Saturday night up in Owen Sound at a fundraiser for the Tom Thomson Gallery. It's gonna be a fun night!

I'm flying to Nashville the day after to attend a songwriting intensive with Darrell Scott and Mary Gauthier from May 24 - 28; you can read more about the workshop here. I'm looking forward to doing some learnin' and will hopefully come home to Toronto with a new song or two!

That's a wee bit o' news for now...will update again soon!

Cheers,

Suzie

Mar 15, 2009

Just received news that a song I wrote with Dan Kershaw called Sometimes I Think I Can Fly won first place in the blues category of the Unisong Songwriting Contest!

Sometimes I Think I Can Fly was recorded by The Marigolds for their upcoming release "The State I'm In" which was produced by Steve Dawson.

You can check out the track at the Unisong website...

The 2009 Juno Awards are slowly but surely approaching, excitement is building at my house! I'm going to be showcasing in Vancouver on the Friday night at The Libra Room and will also be appearing on the Juno Couch with Terry David Mulligan; this will air on CKUA in Alberta between 5-7pm. The awards for my category, Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo will be announced on the Saturday night at the Gala Dinner and Awards. I'll be sure to post something after I know what's up.

Have to run but I wanted to share the news!

xox suzie

Feb 9, 2009

Wow! I still can't believe it...I've been nominated for a JUNO - 2009 Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Solo!!

Cam Fuller of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix wrote an article about the nomination last week, you can check it out here

My fellow nominees include Matthew Barber, Fred J. Eaglesmith, Ndidi Onukwulu and Old Man Luedecke, all wonderful singer/songwriters - check 'em out here.

I booked my flight for the Junos tonight and am excited to attend. Here I come Vancouver with my fingers 'n toes crossed!!

xox suzie

January 19, 2009

I was fortunate tonight to receive the Maple Blues Award for Female Vocalist of the Year for 2008! Great big thanks to the nominating panel and to everyone who voted!

October 10, 2008

A great big thanks to everyone who attended the official Happy Here CD release at Hugh's Room - I had an incredible night!!! And what a band...great big thanks to Stephen Fearing, Gary Craig, John Dymond, Kurt Swinghammer, Denis Keldie and Burke Carroll - they rocked - I am such a lucky girl!!

Happy Here has received a couple reviews in the last week: here's one from the latest issue of Exclaim Magazine and one from the September 25, 2008 edition of the Hamilton Spectator.

I'm getting ready for a show on Saturday, October 11th in Port Credit with Dean McTaggart and Danny Brooks at the Port Credit Legion. Here are the details: The Soulful Songwriters Circle, Port Credit Legion (upstairs), 35 Front St N. (west side of the river). Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Impressionable Gifts, 74 Lakeshore Rd E TEL: (905) 271 8999 or contact Johnny at (416) 902 9801.

After Port Credit I'm heading to the east coast on Monday, October 13th until October 20th

Here are the shows I'll be doing:

Tues. & Weds. Oct. 14 & 15 - Doodles Cafe, Fredericton, NB
Thurs. Oct. 16 - Salty Towers, St. Andrews, NB
Fri. Oct. 17 - Trailside Inn & Cafe, Mount Stewart, PE
Sun. Oct. 19 - The Trinity Sessions, Trinity United Church, New Glasgow, NS

Further details are on my gigs page. Thanks for reading!

Sept 15, 2008

I'm going to be one of the feature artists at the Toronto Blues Society Women's Blues Revue on Saturday, November 29 at Massey Hall in Toronto. Click here to buy your tickets for this year's show. A great big thanks to my pal Brian Blain for the article he wrote in the September 2008 Toronto Blues Society Mapleblues Magazine - you can check the article out here.

July 30, 2008

It's taking a little longer to get the artwork completed, but the plan is to have CDs to my lovely presalers sometime in August. So, my lovely presalers, I thank you for you patience and apologize for the delay...xox suzie.

The official release for "Happy Here" will take place on Wednesday October 8th at Hugh's Room in Toronto. Advance tickets are available for $20 by clickin' here.

or you can call Hugh's Room at 416-531-6604.

To check out a few of the new album tracks please go to my music page.

June 7, 2008

Rick Fines and I will be featured on on Bravo TV's show Rhythm, Roots & Soul which was produced by Mako Funasaka of Talkin' Blues on Friday, June 13th at 7:00pm (EST). Please tune in if you're able; further details are listed on the gigs page.

March 28, 2008

The recording is all completed on my new album called "Happy Here" which was produced (and played and sang on!) by the one 'n only Stephen Fearing. I've posted a few of the tunes at my Myspace if you feel like checking them out - www.myspace.com/suzievinnick. I'm hoping to have the album in hand by the end of May.

Feb 6, 2008

I've posted some new dates for 2008 on the gigs page. I am going to be heading to Saskatoon, Edmonton and Calgary in March for some shows with Rick Fines. Am heading back to Hornby Island in May and am very much looking forward to it!

Nov 1, 2007

Here's a new little commercial I'm playing acoustic guitar, bass and singing the tag in for Interac "it's just another day..." Click here to see it then click 'play' by "view our latest commercial".

I'm still singing the Tim Horton's commercials - "Always Fresh, Always Tim Horton's", and the choir version of the latest Ontario Foodland commercial "good things grow".

Sept 4, 2007

An article about my trip to China with Vinnick Sheppard Harte appeared in the Ottawa Blues Scene magazine courtesy of Liz Sykes, then was republished in the September issue of the Toronto Blues Society Mapleblues Magazine. Click here for a link to the article.

July 17, 2007

An article about my trip to help rebuild New Orleans last December 2006 appears in the latest issue of the Ontario Council of Folk Festival's magazine Folk Prints - click here to check it out!

March 26, 2007

Suzie's singing the Tim Horton's jingles you're hearing these days on radio and television!

March 12, 2007

Suzie is singing the new Gill Deacon talk show theme "Something To Talk About".

January 16, 2007

Winner of 3 - 2006 Canadian Mapleblues Awards !!!

Saskatoon-born Suzie Vinnick heads the list of winners of this year's Maple Blues Awards, handed out last night by the Toronto Blues Society. She was named top Female Vocalist and Bass Player and shares Songwriter of the Year with Rick Fines for their 2006 release, Nothing Halfway.

For a complete list of winners, please visit www.torontobluessociety.com.

A great big thanks to everyone who voted and for your support!! It was great to receive the nominations, but to have won the Awards is such a nice added-extra bonus!